To begin with today, we’re going to play a game of Fact of Fiction To begin with today, we’re going to play a game of Fact of Fiction. I need two contestants. Can anyone here touch their tongues to their nose? (Hopefully you’ll be able to find 2 people that can. If not, just pick 2 people who are brave enough to try and call them up front) It’s good that you two can touch your tongues to your nose, because this game of Fact or Fiction has to do with the tongue. I’m going to read a fact. If you believe it’s true and a fact, then I want you to touch your tongue to your nose. If you believe it’s false, or fiction, just keep your tongue in your mouth. Whoever gets the most right wins. (a sucker would make a good prize) Okay, get your tongues loose…here we go: True or False? 1. Every person has a unique tongue print (True) 2. All of your estimated 10,000 taste buds are located on the tongue (False) - they’re also on your cheeks, lips, etc. 3. Close to 50 percent of the bacteria in your mouth lives on the surface of your tongue (True) 5. In Tibet, it’s bad manners to stick out your tongue to guests (False) -it’s considered good manners

The servant remains calm and does not argue back. Exercise: Have a student get angry with servant. They must stay angry and continue to argue with the servant. The servant remains calm and does not argue back.

Exercise: “Soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverb 15:1)

The Effect of the Softly Spoken Word “The heart of the righteous studies how to answer” (Proverbs 15:28). 1. What’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve ever said? 2. What’s the most hurtful thing you’ve ever said? 3. What’s the nicest thing someone has said to you?

Being Christ Like The ultimate goal of any Christian is to resemble our Lord Jesus Christ in everything as He is the best example. He was gentle and kind to the weak and the sinner. He encouraged the broken hearted and strengthened the weary. Even in the critical discussions and testing by the Pharisees and the priests, He was firm and strong, yet He never insulted or used unsuitable words.

Being Christ Like “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me” (John 18:23)

The Virtue of Softly Spoken Word and Controlling the Tongue “If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body” (James 3:2-12).

The Virtue of Softly Spoken Word and Controlling the Tongue What is the value of controlling my words?

The Virtue of Softly Spoken Word and Controlling the Tongue The virtue of a softly spoken word is one which is important to gain. King David spoke about it Psalm 15: 1 & 3 “LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?..... He who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbour, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend;...”

The Virtue of Softly Spoken Word and Controlling the Tongue Words can lead us to evil and sin or it can lead us to blessings and spiritual growth. For example, lying is a sin but praising God is a blessing, and they are both expressed in words. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. (Matthew 12:37)

The Virtue of Softly Spoken Word and Controlling the Tongue Through our words, we can make friends or enemies, love or hate, make peace or war. We can bring non-believers to the faith through our words. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. (James 3:9-10)

The Virtue of Softly Spoken Word and Controlling the Tongue How can I acquire the virtue of the softly spoken words?

The Virtue of Softly Spoken Word and Controlling the Tongue Pray that God may help you

The Virtue of Softly Spoken Word and Controlling the Tongue Pray that God may help you Think before you speak

The Virtue of Softly Spoken Word and Controlling the Tongue Pray that God may help you Think before you speak

The Virtue of Softly Spoken Word and Controlling the Tongue Pray that God may help you Think before you speak Put yourself in the place of the listener

The Virtue of Softly Spoken Word and Controlling the Tongue Pray that God may help you Think before you speak Put yourself in the place of the listener Remember your words indicates what is in your heart

The Virtue of Softly Spoken Word and Controlling the Tongue Experience the blessings of the softly spoken words in your life. Try it..

Your words indicate what’s in your _______________.

Your words indicate what’s in your Heart. Quick Quiz Your words indicate what’s in your Heart.

List 3 ways to acquire the virtue of the softly spoken words: Quick Quiz List 3 ways to acquire the virtue of the softly spoken words:

Quick Quiz Pray that God may help you Think before you speak Choose your words carefully Put yourself in the place of the listener Remember your words indicate what is in your heart

What are some benefits of the softly spoken word? Quick Quiz What are some benefits of the softly spoken word?

We can bring non-believers to the faith through our words. Quick Quiz Words can lead us to evil and sin or it can lead us to blessings and spiritual growth. Through our words, we can make friends or enemies, love or hate, make peace or war. We can bring non-believers to the faith through our words.

Quick Quiz Give a Biblical example of a non-believer who was converted through softly-spoken words.

Lord’s words to the Samaritan woman. Quick Quiz Lord’s words to the Samaritan woman. Take a look at our Lord Jesus when he was dealing with the Samaritan Woman, although she was very sinful. “The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.” (John 4:17-18). The word "husbands" is very gentle, as they were not husbands but the Lord did not use the other harsh word. His saying, "The one whom you now have is not yours" is the gentlest expression, that does not include any word, that could hurt her feelings...This caused the Samaritan woman to repent. So instead of our Lord being angry at her and speaking harshly with her, He showed her love and gentles.

Quick Quiz “____________ answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up ____________.”

Quick Quiz “Soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverb 15:1)

Quick Quiz When I THINK before I Speak, I need to consider whether the statement I am about to make is: T: H: I: N: K:

Quick Quiz When I THINK before I Speak, I need to consider whether the statement I am about to make is: T: true H: helpful I: inspiring N: necessary K: kind